Study finds most paramedics are victims of abuse in the workplace

[Leslie Shepherd] More than two-thirds of Canadian paramedics surveyed have experienced verbal, physical or sexual abuse on the job, new research has found. In South Africa too, incidents have been reported. Read more >>

Gauteng suppliers receive payments

Some suppliers to the Gauteng Health and Social Development Department have breathed a sigh of relief after receiving payments for service rendered following delays as the department grappled with financial challenges. Read more >>

Home monitoring may help manage and reduce costs for heart failure

[Rachel Champeau] New findings indicate that hospitalisation in the event of heart failure might not always be required if the necessary monitoring of a patient takes place in the home and the patient's condition is constantly assessed. Read more >>

Diabetes takes a heavy economic and educational toll on young patients

[Michael Greenwood] While the health implications of diabetes are well understood, new research led by the Yale School of Public Health finds that the disease also comes with high non-medical costs for young patients in the form of lost education and future earnings potential. The study is published in the journal Health Affairs. Read more >>

Road deaths down: report

The number of people killed on South Africa's roads dropped slightly in December 2011 compared to the same period the previous year, the Road Traffic Management Corporation said on its website. Read more >>

'Business Opportunities in Developing Healthcare in Africa' - KPMG panel discussion

A panel discussion on 'Business Opportunities in Developing Healthcare in Africa' will be hosted by KPMG on 18 January 2012 at its Parktown offices. Read more >>

First trial of a new hepatitis C vaccine shows promise

A new vaccine against the chronic liver disease hepatitis C has shown promising results in a first clinical trial in humans, Oxford University researchers report. Read more >>

Antisense might make sense for treating liver cancer

A new study shows that it is possible to selectively target and block a particular microRNA that is important in liver cancer. The finding might offer a new therapy for this malignancy, which kills an estimated 549 000 people worldwide annually. Read more >>

New study suggests that neurotransmitter might improve treatment of cancer

Doses of a neurotransmitter might offer a way to boost the effectiveness of anticancer drugs and radiation therapy, according to a new study led by researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Centre - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. Read more >>

Three new eczema genes discovered

Researchers from Children of the 90s at the University of Bristol, in collaboration with 22 other studies from across the world, have discovered three new genetic variants associated with the skin condition eczema, a chronic inflammatory disease that afflicts millions of patients around the world. Read more >>

Even in the healthy, stress causes brain to shrink, Yale study shows

[Bill Hathaway] Experiencing stressful life events, such as a divorce or job loss, can reduce gray matter in critical regions of the brain that regulate emotion and important physiological functions - even in healthy individuals, Yale researchers report in a study published online the week of 9 January in the journal Biological Psychiatry. Read more >>

Study looks at impact of cell phone base station on body's adrenergic system

Changes of clinically important neurotransmitters from electromagnetic radiation. Read more >>

Reprogrammed oestrogen binding linked to more aggressive breast cancer

Scientists based at Cancer Research UK's Cambridge Research Institute have discovered how receptors for the female sex hormone oestrogen attach to a different part of the DNA in breast cancer patients who are more likely to relapse, according to a study published in Nature last Wednesday, 4 January. Read more >>

Litha Healthcare Group acquires OTC Pharma South Africa

Litha Healthcare Group has purchased the South African subsidiary of Dutch health and wellness company, OTC Pharma International, OTC Pharma South Africa, which will see the healthcare group increase its portfolio in the natural health market. Read more >>

Risk of waterborne diseases grows in rural areas of Zimbabwe

Mhondoro is a farm settlement about 45km southwest of the Zimbabwean capital Harare. Two children, two-year-old twins, splash about in a pool of greenish water close to their mother's hut. Read more >>

French diet guru urges students be graded on weight

PARIS, FRANCE: France's top diet guru Pierre Dukan is urging the government to grade students on their weight in a bid to curb growing obesity. Read more >>

Gauteng pays R300m more to health suppliers

The Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development paid almost R300 million to health contractors and suppliers in December. This is in addition to the R600 million that had been paid to vendors earlier in that month, reports the Gauteng Provincial Government. Read more >>

MEC welcomes healthcare interns

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has appealed to community healthcare interns, who are to be deployed in the province, to give their patients the respect and dignity they deserve. Read more >>